PMEA courtesy visit to DENR Secretary Lotilla [Photo by Joey Nelson Ayson]
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PMEA President, Joey Nelson Ayson, provided mining industry updates during the Philippine Mining & Exploration Association (PMEA) Monthly Membership Meeting for August 2025.
As of July 31, 2025, PMEA has 17 regular members, 57 associate, 29 Individual, and 17 honorary members.
He announced that on Nov. 18, 2025, PMEA will host the 8th PMEA Forum in Baguio City as part of the 71st ANMSEC. The forum’s theme is “Overcoming Challenges with Innovative Solutions”.
A United Industry for Responsible Mining
The Philippine mining sector, represented by PMEA and industry leaders, paid a courtesy call to DENR Secretary Raphael Lotilla to reaffirm its commitment to sustainable and responsible mining practices.
Atty. Fernando Penarroyo (also PRJ Columnist – Editor) described the visit in his social media post, “Full circle moment. From being my constitutional law professor in law school to now leading the country’s natural resources agenda, DENR Secretary Raphael Lotilla and I reconnected and exchanged ideas on how law and policy can drive sustainable development. I am grateful for his insights and inspired by his continued commitment to public service.”
DENR-MGB Updates
DMO (Department Memorandum Order) 2025-01 – Updated EIA Guidelines / Amending Provisions of DMO 2023-01 and 2023-04
- BMB (Biodiversity Management Bureau) clearance no longer required for ECC (Environmental Compliance Certificate) applications
- OSEC (Office of the Secretary) clearance downloaded to EMB (Environmental Management Bureau) Director or concerned EMB RD (Regional Director)
EO (Executive Order) 88 – Strengthening the National Task Force Diwalwal
- DENR as Chair
- Task Force oversees all mining activities in the reservation (to address illegal operations, environmental degradation, and rehabilitation)
RA (Republic Act) 12229 - San Francisco Protected Landscape
- Signed into law on July 23, 2025
- Covers 29.6 hectares in San Francisco, Quezon (the Mulanay Watershed Forest Reserve)
Critical Minerals Policy
- Under final review and will be an Executive Order to be signed by the President
MGB (Mines and Geosciences Bureau) / DENR
- Benigno Cesar Espejo (MGB CAR Chief Geologist) appointed as OIC RD for Negros Island Region (NIR)
- Charlie E. Fabre appointed as OIC RED (Regional Executive Director) for Negros Island Region (NIR)
PROPOSED NATIONAL ACTION PLAN ON BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS
- To safeguard IP rights and cultural heritage amid expanding business activities
- NCIP to draft preliminary version
SUMMARY OF 2024 ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION OF MINING
- PhP 253B in mineral output
- PhP 33B in taxes, fees and royalties
- 291,672 direct jobs
- PhP 10B in SDMP
- PhP 807M for H&S
- PhP 4B in FMR funds
NCIP (National Commission on Indigenous Peoples)
- Comments from DOJ on revised FPIC (Free and Prior Informed Consent) guidelines received and being addressed
Recent Approvals
Filminera Resources Corporation in Uson, Masbate, received their EP approvals on July 18, 2025 with EXPA (Exploration Permit Application) No. EXPA-00067-V. Ocelot Mineral Corporation in Ayungon, Negros Oriental, received their EP renewal on July 3, 2025 with EP No. EP-000017-VII.
MPSA (Mineral Production Sharing Agreement) approvals last July 2025 were given to Majestic Earth Core Ventures, Inc. in Calbayog City, Western Samar; Berong Nickel Corporation in Sitio Long Point, Aborlan, Palawan; and Bohol Limestone Corporation in Garcia Hernandez, Bohol.
MPP renewal in July 2025 was given to Graymont (Philippines) Inc. in Bataraza, Palawan.
COMPANY NEWS
Didipio Mine (OGPI)
- Drilling at Napartan ongoing
- New VP for Exploration Greenfields named in Nick Fitzpatrick
Metals Exploration / FCF Minerals / Yamang Minerals / Woogle Corporation
- Q2 production of 19,993 oz Au (92.1% recovery)
- Access negotiations ongoing in Abra with drilling expected to commence Q1 2026
- EP approval of Dupax Project
Philsaga / X64 Limited
- Q2 2025 production: 9,468 oz Au (vs 12,094 oz Au in Q1 2025)
- Tigerway Decline now connected to Levels 9, 10, 11 and 12
- JORC Resource Co-o Mine (M+I): 1.5Mt @ 8.92 g/t Au (451K oz Au)
- JORC Resoirce TSF-1 (I): 510Kt @ 1.72 g/t Au (28K oz Au
Cordillera Exploration Company Inc. (CExCI)
- Completed 11 drillholes in 2025 at Cordon Project (Dallao, Quemaldero, Gawed, Villa and Maemban prospects)
- Geophysics to follow in some areas
Filminera Resources (B2 Gold)
- World Gold Council site visit this week (Documentation of best practices)
- Regional winner for TESDA 2025 Kabalikat Award (Industry Partner)
Apex Mining / ISRI
- DOLE XI regional winner for Outstanding Labor-Management Cooperation
- Partnership with University of Makati for student internship training
- Currently using geothermal energy as part of its power supply.
Sagittarius Mines (Tampakan)
- Construction of mine access road ongoing
- Power source and infrastructures still under final study
- Working on some permits and approval
Carmen Copper Corporation
- Net loss of PhP 635M for H1 2025 (vs PhP 2.07B net income in H1 2024)
- H1 2025 production of 28.3Mlbs Cu metal and 7,751 oz Au
- Recently commissioned a 3ha floating solar facility producing 4.99 MW (10% of its needs)
- A 3-year redevelopment program to be completed in mid-2026 and will access higher grade ore at depths.
Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc. (GFNI)
- Best Adopt-an-Estero/Waterbody Program award at the Water Summit 2025 (Reg. 13)
- PMRC resource (M+I) for the CAGA deposits as of June 30, 2025: 112.1 WMT @ 1.1% Ni, 29.2% Fe, 0.1% Co
- July 2025 shipment: PGMC - 670K WMT; Ipilan – 57K WMT (off season)
Techiron Resources
- 2025: Shipped 2 vessels of chromite concentrate (42-44% Cr) and 20 vessels of lateritic iron HFO (47-48% Fe)
Makilala Mining / Celsius Resources
- Maharlika Fund planning to acquire a stake in Makilala with the deal expected to close in H2 2025
- Drilling ongoing (Drillcorp)
CTPCMC
- Completed 86th vessels loaded
- 4,721,482 WMT total; Limonite (0.82% Ni and 48.35% Fe); Saprolite (1.36% Ni and 23.42% Fe)
OTHER NEWS
PASAR (Philippine Associated Smelting and Refining Corporation)
- On care and maintenance since February 2025
- Reported sale by Glencore to the Villar group
New Mining Fiscal Regime
- Consolidated bill transmitted by House to PLLO OP last July 31, 2025 for enrollment
- President can now act on it once enrolled / lapses into a law after 30 days if not acted on
- Proposed ore export ban dropped
- Progressive royalty regime based on operating profit margins and windfall earning
August Guest Speakers
The sponsor for the evening was SANY ZWM Philippines (Zhongwang Machineries Phils. Inc.) with Hi-Lite speakers Jesette David, Business Development Manager and Abraham dela Cruz, Senior Sales Account Manager. Their topic was "Sany's Role in the Mining Industry".
The keynote speaker was Mr. Carlo Ascaño, Project Geologist of Crescent Mining and Development Corp./Blackstone Minerals with his presentation "The Geology, Mineralization and Resource of the Guinaoang Orebody, Mankayan Project”.
Engr. Cabalda in July PMEA Meeting
For the PMEA Monthly Member Meeting in July, the keynote speaker was Engr. Michael V. Cabalda, Assistant Secretary for Mining Concerns and Concurrent MGB Director. He gave a detailed report on key developments from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
On June 26, the Sustainable Forest Land Management Agreement (SFLMA) was launched, which opens 1.2 million hectares of forest land for sustainable investment in forestry plantations, agroforestry, pastureland, eco-tourism and renewable energy.
From the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Al Emil Berador, formerly chief geologist, was named Officer in Charge Regional Director of MGB 7, following the retirement of RD Armando Malicse.
The sponsor for the meeting last July was Veolia Water Technologies & Solution with speakers Mr. Handrey Decapia (Business Development Engineer) and Mr. Ariel Cruz (Business Development Manager). Their report is titled “Veolia Water Treatment in Mining Industries”.
(Click here to read related post.)
Delivering Mining Opportunities to GRX25 Brisbane
From May 20 to 22, the Austrade Manila team facilitated a Philippine delegation to the Global Resources Innovation Expo (GRX) held at Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Australia.
At the Expo, 25 delegates from 12 Philippine companies attended. This is a collaboration between Austmine and AusIMM, aiming to showcase innovation and collaboration in the global resources industry. The event also included a conference, exhibition, and networking opportunities.
It showcased innovative mining technologies that reflect the dynamic changes shaping the global resources industry. The mission underscored the positive development in Philippine mining, specifically the strategic framework to build a strong minerals industry that balances profile, people and the planet.
A series of business matching activities and speed-networking sessions were also held at the Australia-Southeast Business Exchange Innovation, participated by 100 Australian METS and 30 delegates from the Philippines and Vietnam.
The Australian Philippine Business Council likewise hosted a Mining Resource Forum, which provided a tailored platform to discuss the Philippines’ mining policies, opportunities, and challenges. This forum aimed to foster a transparent, investment-friendly environment conducive to sustainable growth and community support in mining operations.
“Such dialogues are critical in aligning our shared aspirations for a mining sector that is both economically viable and socially responsible,” Austrade said in a statement.
GRX 25 Exhibit Booths in Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Center, Australia [Photo by Joey Ayson]
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Acknowledgement:
Thank you to Ms. Tata Corpuz of Austrade Manila and Sir Joey Nelson Ayson of PMEA.
